Chain pipe wrench



Oct. 31, 1933. w s STUART 1,933,513

CHAIN PIPE WRENCH Filed Oct- J, 1-930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 31, 19 w. s. STUART CHAIN PIPE WRENCH Filed Oct. 1, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 R LL/ARDS /;UA T

INVE NT 5 fl BY w ATTORNE'Y.

Patents: @ct. 3 1, 19353 eras rate 1,933,513 CHAIN PIEE WRENCH "Willard S. Stuart, East Hartford, Conn, as-' signer to The Billings a Spencer eerporation of Cennecticut Company, a

V Application October 1, 1930. Serial No. 485,683

14 Claims.

to another whenever desired. A further object of my invention is to provide fittings jaw means of an improvedconstruction and adapted to be disposed in an improved manner on a wrench and connected thereto" by improved means. These and other objects and advantages of my improved construetion will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

.In the accompanying drawings, I have shown for purposes of illustrationone embodiment which my invention may assume in practice;

In these drawings,-.

Figure l is a side elevation of] a wrench equipped with my improvement, certain parts being illustrated in dotted lines, and the chain and. handle being broken off to'facilitate illustration;

Figure 2 is avertical longitudinal sectional view of the structure shown in Figure l;'

Figure 3 is a top plan View of thesame, portions of the samebeing shown in dotted'lines;

Figure 4 is a'front elevation of the same;

Figure 5 is a sectional viewhon 1ine55 of Figure 2; i

' MFigure 6 is a side elevation of the wrench with the side jaw plates removed;

Figure 7 a sectional View taken on line 7-? of Figure 6, and

Figure 8 is a detail plan view of the'fittings jaw member. v

In this illustrative construction, I have shown a wrench comprising a usual handle 1 carrying 5 abody 2 on its forward end and provided with usual upstanding front chain hook means 3, while a chain 4, adapted to hook over the hook means, is connected by an elongated chain connecting link 4' witharemovable pivot pin 5 journaled 50 in usual spaced lugs forming a chain slot at the rear end of the body 2, and side jaw plates 6 are disposed on opposite sides of the body 2 and connected thereto independentlyof the chain connection 5 by a connecting bolt '7; this wrench 55 herein being provided with improvedfittings jaw meansconstructed and a "ranged in an improved manner as hereinafter more fully described.

Referring more particularly to the body structure carrying the fittings jaw means,.it willbe noted that herein the under side of thebody 2 is 6Q provided with a straight fiat fitting jaw seat 8 extending from the lower endof the frontface 9 of the body 2 to a point adjacent and below the chain pivot pin 5. Herein, it will also be noted thatthis seat 8 is, as preferably, parallel toa line extending through the axes of the pivot pin 5 the jaw plate connecting member '7 and also spaced substantially below this line. As shown, the front face 9, while flat, is also substantially elongated and caused to extend downward and angularly to form an abutment projecting substantially beneath theunused front apertures ii) in the jaw plates 6 when the latter are in place with their rear corresponding apertures receiving the ends of the chain pivot pin 5. While various means may be provided for'connecting the fittings jaw to its seat 8,-it will here be observed that the seat Sis, as'preferably, provided with a pair or" recesses or dowel holes 11 and 12 therein, of which the recess 11 is dis-- posed between the pivot pin 5 and the side plate connection 7, whilethe aperture 12 is disposed between the connection '7 and the front face9 on the body 2. As shown herein, the body 2 isalso provided at a point between the aperture 12 and plate connection 7 with an elongated aperture13 of smaller diameter extending at right angles to the seat 8 and from the top of the bodyZ through the seat in such manner as to permit the passage of a suitable connecting member connecting-the fittings jaw to the body 2. 7

Upon the seat 8 is disposed the improved fits tingsjaw means, generally indicated at 14-, and herein, as preferablmthougli not necessarily, in the form of a single member. This member here-- 95, in has a flat upper face adapted to engage the seat 8 and extends substantially throughout the length of the latter, though preferably terminat ing slightly in front or" the rear end of the seat, as shown. Herein, :it will also. be observed that this member 14 has longitudinally spaced pro jections or dowel pins 15 and 16 onits upper face adapted, respectively, to be received in the apertures 11 and 12 heretofore described. In a preferred construction, the same is also provided with apertures 17 adapted in' reversepositions of the member 14 to register with the aperture 13 in the body 2 heretofore described .and cooperate therewith in receiving any suitable hold ing. means 18, herein in the form of a rivet. As

shown, the fittings jaw means 14 is also herein provided with a plurality of sets of oppositely disposed teeth 19 and 20, one of which, 19, is formed with its teeth disposed on an are spaced slightly inwardly from the teeth 21 on that end of the jaw plates 6, while the other teeth 20 similarly disposed relative to the teeth 22 on the opposite ends of the jaw plates. Here attention is also directed to the fact that these sets of teeth 19 and 20 are shorter in length than. the sets of teeth 21 and 22 and overlie the adjacent or inner ends of the latter sets of teeth. Also the teeth 19 and 20 are herein spaced apart by a suitable concave pipe rest 23 extending transversely across the member 14, below the jaw plate connection 7, while the apertures 17 are disposed at opposite sides of this pipe rest 23 and between the sides of the first or adjacent teeth of the portions 19 and 20 and provided with suitable counter sinks for receiving the head of the rivet l8. Herein, it will also be observed that to permit a free movement of the connecting link 4' of the chain 4 within a predetermined lim' in one di rection, and also to permit reversibi .ity o the member 14 relative to its seat while mini Zing wear on the chain, each end of the member 14 also preferably slotted as shown at 24;. Here attention is also directed to the .act that while, if desired, the portion 14 may be or such width as to engage the side plates 6 on each side thereof, the same is preferably substantially spaced each of these side plates, as shown at 25, and also of somewhat less width than the front rear portions 26 of the body 2, while the latter are also spaced from the side plates shown at 27.

As a result of my improved construction, it

will be evident that while my fittings jaw means will not in any way interfere with the use of the jaw plates when assembled shown in Figure 2, these fittings jaw means be used either while the jaw plates are still on the wrench, as when the size and shape of the fitting permits, or, when the size and shape of the fitting does not permit, while the jaw plates are removed from the wrench, see Figure 6. In either case, it will also be evident that due to the improved location ofthe sets of teeth 19 and 26 relative to the pivot 5 and chain book 3, the fitting day be turned in either direction at will and while the wrench remains in the same position relative to the fitting, by simply shifting the wrench longitudinally so that instead or one of the'jaws 19 and 20 engaging the fittings, the other jaw thereof will engage the same. Thus, for example,

when in adjusting a fitting the operator has carried the same too far, as for example when using the teeth 19, all that it is necessary forhim to do to bring the fitting back into the correct pcsition, is to shift the wrench longitudinally in such manner as to bring the teeth 20 into engagement with the fitting. Attention is also directed to the fact that, while using a chain connecting link l, it is possible to obtain the same action when the wrench is thus shifted longitudinally in either direction, regardless of whether the side jaw plates 6 or the fittings jaw means are in use or of variations in the size of the pipe or fitting. Thus, it will be noted that, when the chain 4 is extended a ound a pipe or fitting and hooked over the hook 3, the effect is the same whether, as a result of shifting in one direction, the link 4' is in engagement with its abutment in the slot 24 and the chain then out of engagement with the abutment means provided by the front face 9, or whether, as a result of shifting in the opposite direction, the chain 4 is in engagement with its abutment means on the face 9 and the link 4 then out of engagement with its abutment. This is due to the fact that in the later position of the parts, the active intermediate chain pivot on the chain 4, i. e. the pivot then depending below the face 9, is located by its abutment against the latter face in a position corresponding to the position'of the chain pivot on the lower end of the link 4 when the latter is in engagement with its abutment in the slot 24, both chain pivots thus being spaced equally laterally and longitudinally from the center line of the several jaws which herein passes through the middle or the pipe rest and the axis of the bolt 7. Moreover, it will be noted that the construction is such that the chain 4 and chain hook means 3 are both maintained during this shifting in the same operative relation with respect to the teeth 19 and 2G and may be so disposed that the same are readily visible and accessible when shifting of the chain is desirable. Attention is fur 'ier dirooted to the fact that the pipe rest 23 is so disposed as to be conveniently usable when setting the chain for use with either or the sets of teeth 19, 20. The spacing of the jaws l9 and 20 laterally from the sides of the body 2 and from the jaw plates 6 further facilitates the engagement of the fittings jaws with the fitting under certain conditions, while the narrow fittings jaw is also enabled to be kept parallel to the center of the chain under usual conditions. It will also be evident that due to the provision of the teeth 19 and 20 an effective engagement is provided directly with the chain, while through the provision of the slots 24 cutting of the chain is minimized and an increased range of movement of the chain connection is made possible at the same time that any objectionable right angle abutment between the chain connecting link and the end of the fittings jaw means is avoided. Attention is also directed to the simple and rugged connecting means provided between the fittings jaw means and the body 2 which not only rigidly connect the member 14 to the body but further, through the dowels and connecting member 18, serve to hold the parts effectually against displacement while permitting reversal of the member 14 whenever desired as, for example, during assembly cr -use.

These and other advantages of my improved construction will, however, those skilled in the art.

While'I have in this application specifically described one embodiment which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this embodiment is shown for purposes of illustration, and that my invention may be further modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope or" the appended claims. I

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-

1. In a chain pipe wrench having front and rear fittings jaws, a body having front and rear ends of dissimilar conformation and a chain hook, a chain co-operating with said chain hook and having an elongated chain connecting link pivotally connected at the rear end of said body, and means -for symmetrically disposing the working pivots of said chain in reverse longitudinal operating positions of said wrench.

2. In. a chain pipe wrench having front and rear jaws, an elongated pivoted chain connecting link, a chain hook, a chain having links shorter be clearly apparent to than said elongated link pivoted to the free end of said link and connectible to said hook, abutment means for limiting the forward movement ofsaid link and locating the chainrpivot when the wrench is shifted in one direction, and means Tao-- for correspondingly locating the active pivot on the front end of the chain when the wrench is reversely shifted. a l a 3. In a chain pipe wrench having front and rear jaws, an elongated pivoted chain connecting link, a chain hook, a chain having links shorter than said elongated link pivotedto the free end of-said link and connectible. to said hook, abutment means for limiting the forward movement of said linkand locating the chain pivot relative equally spaced laterally and longitudinally from the center'line of the jaws.

4. In a chain pipe wrench having front and rearjaws, an elongated pivoted chain connecting link extending below the rear jaws and movable on 'a pivot above the latter and intermediate the ends thereof, a chain having links shorter than said link pivoted on the free end of said link, a co-operating hook engageable byisaid chain, abutment means forlimiting the forward movement of said link and locating the chain pivot relative to the center line of the jaws, and

abutment means on the front end of the wrench and intermediate the ends of the front jaws operative' when the wrench is reversly shifted, to locate an intermediate pivot of the chain in a position relativeto the center line of the jaws corresponding to that of the chain pivot on the lower end of said link when the latter engages said first mentioned abutment means.

5. In a chain pipe wrench having chain hook means and an elongated depending chain conwhen the wrench is shifted in one direction, and

' shifting of the wrench, for locating a pivot of the direction, abutment means on the opposite end '70.- the latter engages its abutment means, and means abutment means on the opposite end of the wrench from said link andoperative upon reverse chain in a position relative to the center line of said jaw means corresponding to that of the chain pivot on the lower end of said link when the latter engages said first mentioned abutment means.

6. In a chain pipe wrench having chain hook means and an elongated depending chain connecting link, front and rear fittings jaw means disposed beneath the wrench, a chain having links shorter than said first mentioned link pivoted to the lower end of the latter and connectible to said hook means, abutment means for limiting movement of said connecting link in one direction and locating the chain pivot relative to the center line of the jaws when the wrench is shifted. in one of the wrench from said link and operative upon reverse shifting of the wrench for locating a piv- 0t of the chain in symmetrical relation to the pivot of said chain on said connecting link when forming a chain passage in the front-jaw of the fittings jaw for preventing the cutting of the chain links.

7. In a chain pipe wrench, a body having a said hook means having a pivot disposable by said rear chain pivot, a chain hook, and abutment means on the lower part of its front end laterallylocatedrelative tosaid hook and in front of the latter, a depending elongated chain connecting link having its upper end pivoted on said pivot, a chain having links shorter than said link pivoted on the free end of said link and connectible to said chain hook, and front and rear fittings jawmeans on the underside of said body having in one end an abutment for-said link and a chain'passage in its opposite end.

8. Ina chain pipe wrench, abody having chain hook means, a rear chain pivot, and an abutment on the lower part of its front end laterally located relative to said hook means and in front of the same, side jaw plates having front and rear jaws, front and rear fittings jaw means having a common center line therewith, a depending elongated link pivoted on said pivot, abutment means for limiting forward swinging of said link relative to the center line of the jaws when the wrench is shifted longitudinally in one direction, and a chain having links shorter than said link pivoted to the'free end of said link andconnectible to laterally locatedabutment upon reverse shifting of the, wrench in a position corresponding to that of the chain pivot on the lower end of said link when the latter engages said first mentioned abutment means.

9. In a chain pipe wrench, a body having front chain hook means, a rear chain pivot, and an abutment on the lower part of its front end laterally located relative to said hook means and in front of the same, a depending elongated link pivoted on said pivot, a chain having links shorter than said link pivoted on the free end of said link and connectible to said hook means, side jaw plates having front and rearjaws, means for connecting said plates .to said body, and front and rear fittings jaw means having a common center line with said jaw plates and also having a rear abutment for limiting the forward movement of said link and a chain groove below the abutment on the front end of said body.

10. A chain pipe wrench having a rear chain pivot, an elongated chain connectin'glink pivoted thereon, a front chain hock, a chain having links shorter than said first mentioned link connected to the free end thereof and connectible to said hook, side jaw plates having front and rear jaws thereon selectively engageable with a pipe inside said chain'upon longitudinal shifting of the wrench, and front and rear fittings jaw means disposed inside the jaws on said plates and selectively engageable with a fitting inside said chain upon longitudinal shifting of the wrench, said front fittings jaw having a chainv groove therein inhibiting cutting of said chain and. said rear fittings jaw havingfa slot therein forming an abutment for said link.

11. A chain pipe wrenchhaving a rear chain pivot, an elongated chain connecting link pivoted" thereon, a front chain hock, a chain comprising links shorter than said first mentioned link connected to the free end thereof and connectible to said hook, side jaw plates having front and rear jaws thereon selectively engageable with a pipe inside said chain upon longitudinal shifting of the wrench, front and rear fittings jaw means disposed inside the jaws on said plates and selectively engageablelwith a fitting inside said chain upon longitudinal shifting of the wrench,

said rear fittings jaw being disposed in advance ofsaid pivot, and means adjacent the rear end 1 5i) of said rear fittings jaw forming an abutment for said elongated link.

' 12. A chain pipe wrench having a body pro-- vided with lug means at its rear end and forwardly disposed hook means projecting from its upper surface and also having a uniformly downwardly sloping front face terminating in a lower pointed front end, a chain pivot carried in said lug means, an elongated chain connecting link pivoted on said pivot, a chain having links shorter than said first mentioned link connected to the free end thereof and connectible to said hook means, front and rear fittings jaw means fixed to the under side of said body and selectively engageable with a fitting inside said chain upon longitudinal shifting of the Wrench, said rear fittings jaw being disposed in advance of said pivot, and abutment means at the rear end of said rear fittings jaw for limiting the forward swinging of said link.

13. A fittings jaw unit connectible at will to a wrench and having spaced reversely disposed toothed portions and a solid top extending substantially to the ends of the unit, a slot adjacent one end of one of said portions providing an abutment, and a chain groove adjacent the opposite end of the other portion.

14. A fittings jaw unit connectihle at will to a wrench and having spaced reversely disposed toothed portions and a solid top extending substantially to the ends of the unit and also having adjacent the outer end of each of said portions WILLARD S. STUART. 

